liveride777
New member
So im pretty new here, i have been looking at the forums for a while but never registered. Besides that here is my question:
Going to look at a viper 700 tomorrow evening; $2250, 3400 miles, good track condition, 96 picks. ect.
Also im looking at an SRX 700; $2200, 3500 miles a little bit worse condition then the viper, and im wondering the difference between the two. I plan on trail riding at a pretty fast pace.
What are the goods and bads of each sled?
and hey, PS. thanks for helping the new guy out.
Going to look at a viper 700 tomorrow evening; $2250, 3400 miles, good track condition, 96 picks. ect.
Also im looking at an SRX 700; $2200, 3500 miles a little bit worse condition then the viper, and im wondering the difference between the two. I plan on trail riding at a pretty fast pace.
What are the goods and bads of each sled?
and hey, PS. thanks for helping the new guy out.

srxbully
New member
what year srx & what kind of riding do you do?cant go wrong with either sled but the viper is probably newer unless the srx is a 2002 and they are the same price.
Go with the Viper. Ride it for a while and if you get bored with the power you can always run tripple pipes on it. Most will yield over 150hp. If the Viper is in better condition than the SRX, it should be slightly more reliable. I love my Viper. It has been a great machine so far! You can not beat a dialed in Viper for high speed trail riding.
OZ_872
New member
Your going to get a ton of opinions going both ways on this one. The SRX sits a little lower so it theoretically has better handling, but on the same tolken the viper might be able to soak up bumps a hair better. The SRX is pretty much built to rip stright out of the box, but if you like tinkering the Viper engine can be built to hang with a SRX, ie. triple pipes, which the SRX has stock. If you plan on going all out, porting, big bore, etc... I don't think you can go wrong either way, the SRX just has a good head start on the Viper.
patsxr700
New member
I would go with the SRX, they are much more faster than a viper.. i think they handle better on trail too..
ExpertXViper
New member
SRX and upgrade the front and rear suspension when the funds become available. Piped Vipers get horrible MPG compared to a SRX. You end up wanting more than port or BB. Just my 2 cents.
liveride777
New member
i dont think ill be upgrading anything, just riding it for this season and maybe moving up to a newer sled next season. Anyone else have any problems with the Viper or SRX?
liveride777
New member
also what should i be looking for tomorrow when i look at this sled. What usually wears out on these things?
Roost 'Er
Member
rz500 said:Go with the Viper. Ride it for a while and if you get bored with the power you can always run tripple pipes on it. Most will yield over 150hp. If the Viper is in better condition than the SRX, it should be slightly more reliable. I love my Viper. It has been a great machine so far! You can not beat a dialed in Viper for high speed trail riding.
Hmm disagree.
For the ammount of work and tuning youd need for viper pipes itd far less of a headache to buy the SRX and change the skid.
Also reliabilty will be in the favour of the srx once the viper is piped, and even then bone stock theres no distinquising factor in reliability they both are dead nuts reliable.
just my opnion but the srx ....viper might have electric start and reverse ..and better suspension ....but the srx has more ponys under the hood ....just look the w arm over and the skid rails ....on both .if studded look at front exchanger ...olny problem with srx is if the crank has been phase welded ,,,wire harness rub through ...call yamaha with vin number to see if crank has been done or not .....cant go wrong with either one .....yamaha says it all
Roost 'Er
Member
YA*AM*A*HEAD said:just my opnion but the srx ....viper might have electric start and reverse ..and better suspension ....but the srx has more ponys under the hood ....just look the w arm over and the skid rails ....on both .if studded look at front exchanger ...olny problem with srx is if the crank has been phase welded ,,,wire harness rub through ...call yamaha with vin number to see if crank has been done or not .....cant go wrong with either one .....yamaha says it all
Not all SRX's had the crank issues, 1998s and a select few 1999s. So depends on what year sled he is looking at.
liveride777
New member
im looking at an 2002. Anybody know about what compression these should be running at? don't want to buy something with a weak top end. Im going to bring a compression gauge to get a reading before i buy it.
Roost 'Er
Member
2002 has DCS, if i recall change jetting to 2001 spec and it will stop the DCS from triggering excessively.
Crank is fine on that.
Comp i wouldnt be able to tell ya. high 130s?
Crank is fine on that.
Comp i wouldnt be able to tell ya. high 130s?
9801srx
Member
compression will depend on whose gauge you use ,but is usually around 120-125psi .more importanty is that all three cyl's read very close to the same.
mopar1rules
Active member
9801srx said:compression will depend on whose gauge you use ,but is usually around 120-125psi .more importanty is that all three cyl's read very close to the same.
yep, and shouldn't have no more than a 5-7psi difference (IMO) between the cylinders. i've always seen a difference of like 2-3psi.
the viper will have staggered compression (2 the same and 1 will be lower). I can't remember which side is staggered but anyway the viper is long traveled but the no action still sucks long or short travel. also depends on what year SRX you are talking about. 98-99 SRX had crank issues that were recalled. you can check and see if it was done at the dealer. the 00-02 has the dual headlight (that makes a huge difference) and different porting(+++ a few more ponies). can't go wrong with an 00-02 SRX. search this has been posted a thousand times
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ExpertXViper
New member
PTO on a Viper will have lower compression, MID and MAG will have high compression as long as the head on it is STOCK.
mopar1rules
Active member
pto dome on a stock viper head is roughly 24cc and the center and mag domes are roughly 21 cc.
liveride777
New member
compresion turned out well.. and i bought the sled. Im picking it up tomorrow and im the happy new owner of a 2002 sx viper. 
thanks for the help guys. Ill post pictures when i get it tomorrow.

thanks for the help guys. Ill post pictures when i get it tomorrow.
tjsands12
New member
GOOD CHOICE!!!! you wont be disappointedliveride777 said:compresion turned out well.. and i bought the sled. Im picking it up tomorrow and im the happy new owner of a 2002 sx viper.
thanks for the help guys. Ill post pictures when i get it tomorrow.